NBA superstar LeBron James and leading newspaper The New York Times have recently made headlines for their refusal to pay Twitter's new verification fees.
The social media giant, which has remained free for users since its inception, is set to retire its legacy verified accounts this week, leaving only those who subscribe to Twitter Blue with the coveted blue checkmark.
Lebron James Is Not a Fan of the Paid Checkmark
Despite his immense wealth, billionaire Lakers James has been very vocal about his opposition to paying for something that was previously free, Insider tells us in a report.
Welp guess my blue ✔️ will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5. 🤷🏾♂️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 31, 2023
This sentiment has been echoed by numerous sports fans on Twitter, who view it as a poor business decision on the part of Twitter's CEO, Elon Musk.
New York Times Is Not Buying Twitter Checkmarks
The New York Times has also expressed strong opposition to Twitter's new policy. The news outlet recently lost its verified badge on the platform and has stated that it will not pay a monthly fee to reclaim it.
According to Reuters, the publication will not reimburse reporters for Twitter Blue for personal accounts, except in rare cases where it is deemed necessary for reporting purposes.
Users Oppose Paid Twitter Verification
Many Twitter users are outraged by the decision to charge for verification, which they see as a betrayal of the platform's original mission. Some argue that the blue checkmark was originally intended to verify the identities of public figures and prevent impersonation but has since evolved into a status symbol.
It should be noted that when the paid verification feature was introduced in 2022, certain individuals took advantage of the opportunity to mislead unsuspecting Twitter users who typically follow prominent brands and public figures.
Because of the blue tick paid service, any individual can obtain verification for their account, removing any doubt about the authenticity of their profile. Several users even faced the consequences, including account suspension, for impersonating Elon Musk's verified account.
The decision by Twitter to charge for verification is part of a larger effort to monetize the platform and generate new revenue streams to appease shareholders.
The company has struggled to make a profit in recent months, and this is one of several changes it has made in recent months to improve the user experience, such as cracking down on hate speech and misinformation.
Despite the backlash, whether Twitter will reconsider its decision to charge for verification remains to be seen. Some have speculated that this move may backfire and lead to a mass exodus from the platform. However, others believe that Twitter's loyal user base will continue to use the platform regardless of the changes it makes.
For the moment, LeBron James, The New York Times, and a number of other users seem content to take a stand against Twitter's new policy. It remains to be seen whether other high-profile users will follow their lead.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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